Fresh Body Butter
This weekend I whipped up a lovely body butter to celebrate the coming spring in the PNW. The greenish hue comes mostly from the comfrey leaves and calendula flowers. The herbal infused oil base was dark forest green and it gradually lightened up with mixing in the other ingredients. I am not a gardener (yet!) so these herbs I find dry, year round from Mountain Rose Herbs - a wonderful supplier of organic products with a deep recipe collection that I was inspired by when I created this recipe:
Base oil
3/4 cup Herbal infused oil blend: chamomile, calendula, comfrey leaf infused in a sweet almond oil base - here you have 2 soothing demulcent flowers and a powerhouse leaf with excellent skin affinity
I make this infused oil in the folk method which has no precise measurement. Add each of the 3 herbs above in equal parts, filling a glass quart jar about 1/2 way full, and pour the carriet oil, e.g. sweet almond or jojoba over top aiming at least 1 full inch of oil over the herbs. Keep tightly sealed, in a warm sunny window or near-ish your fireplace, infuse for 2 weeks, creating a deep forest green decadent blend
Melt together in a double boiler or in the microwave
4 tbsp Beeswax: provides structure and antimicrobial foundation that hydrates while retaining natural skin moisture
1/3 cup Coconut oil: provides a luscious, thicker emollient texture to the final whip
Mix the Herbal infused oil blend with the melted beeswax and coconut oil (make sure the melted combo isn’t too hot, body temp is a good comparison).
Add 1/2 cup clean water or a hydrosol, I used Rose Hydrosol which transforms your oily base into the whipped buttery lotion texture.
Continue to whip until desired texture is achieved.
Add your favorite essential oils to dial up the skin affinity, and vitamin E for natural preservation.
60 drops Essential oils: I used Sandalwood, Vetiver, Bergamot Mint, Citrus, Frankincense, Ginger and Geranium / discussion of benefits regarding each is too long for a brief post
1/4 tsp Vitamin E: preserving, stabilizing
Whipping up the butter
This recipe made about 2.5 cups and is heavenly to smell and apply. How to choose base oils, infuse oils, select butters and essential oils for your own recipes? These answers arise with practice, reading, learning and time spent with your botanicals allied along your path. My personal selections and varieties do change seasonally and based on bodily preference, and your recipes will grow with you too.
Interested in a personalized consultation, product formulation or skills class? Learn about opportunities to connect here. Have a beautiful day!
The whole process from formulating, mixing, pressing herbs to jarring